Country star Kellie Pickler gets a tattoo after every performance for military troops so she can always remember their great sacrifice.

The former American Idol contestant has frequently saluted her nation's heroes by jetting all over the world to stage concerts for active duty servicemen, and, as a reminder of each trip, Pickler goes under the needle to mark each show with a new piece of ink.

She tells Maxim magazine, "My grandmother would be mortified if she knew I had these. She's passed away now, but she would say, 'Tattoos are the devil!' So my first tattoo, of course, was my grandma's name. I also have stars on my left arm for my USO (United Service Organizations) tours, but I'm missing two."

The 26 year old reveals she has a personal connection to the armed forces, adding, "My grandfather is a retired Marine, and I've always had a great deal of respect for anyone who serves our country. It really does take someone special to sacrifice everything. I don't mean just their lives, either. There are men who are sacrificing the chance to hold their newborn baby!"